Welcome to Chaveira and Chaveirinha! These two villages altogether have less than 200 inhabitants.
CENTRAL PORTUGAL VILLAGES A MUST SEE.
The villages of Chaveira and Chaveirinha belong to the parish of Cardigos with a geographical situation certainly curious, which makes this area (A MUST VISIT). They're situated precisely in the Municipality of Mação, District of Santarem, and Province of Ribatejo, witch falls within the Region of Central Portugal, more specifically in the sub-region known for its abundance of pine trees. This area is embedded on the slopes of the first mountainous range of Beira Baixa’s province, on the path to Serra Da Estrela (Portugal’s highest peak) and at the entrance of the largest pine tree patch forest in the interior of Portugal (maybe Europe). On the outskirts of this municipality you will find the boundary between the Provinces of Beira Baixa, Ribatejo and Alto Alentejo receiving from these three Provinces their multiple influences and culture.
In terms of tourism this said zone belongs to the Portuguese region of the Templar’s, an area with a green scenery, beautiful Mountains and lots of hill tops the ideal place to practice Rural Tourism and Wild Camping. On the geographical position the region is locked by these surrounding mountains of Central Portugal, Amêndoa, Melriça, Alvaiázere, Alvelas, Moradal, Perdigão e S. Mamede e as Vilas de Amêndoa, Vila de Rei, Figueiró dos Vinhos, Cernache do Bonjardim, Nisa, Castelo de Vide e Marvão. The municipality (Concelho De Mação) with 400.83 square km of area and only 7 763 inhabitants, divided into 8 parishes Aboboreira, Amêndoa, Cardigos, Carvoeiro, Envendos, Ortiga, Penhascoso and including Mação. Also limited by 8 Municipalities, to the northeast Proença-a-Nova, east Vila Velha de Ródão and Nise, to the south by Gaviao, Abrantes in the southwest, west by the Sardoal, Vila de Rei and northwest by Sertã. Surrounded by so many mountains and greenery scenes this region is certainly a place of rest, peace and quiet outside the industrial world that surrounds us on a daily basis.
The whole area of the Municipality of Mação is rich archaeological and a paleontological area. In all its parishes are fossils, which received broad reference by Nery Delgado (Système Sillurique du Portugal; study of Stratigraphie Paléontologique). In the field of archaeology, the richness of the municipality is especially the Roman era as the Roman spa in Ortiga. The most famous of all findings, was the treasure of Bronze Age City in the Port of 06.03.1943, which is composed of 42 pieces (foices, spears, axes, swords, daggers, bracelets, etc.).. Has also been remarkable, the finding in March 1944, a couple of Barba Pouca (a parish of Penhascoso), the famous silex halberd is one of the largest in the Iberian Peninsula. It should be noted that Mr. Boaventura Marques was the author of this finding during the preparation (farming) of the land to sow his corn. Subsequently He kindly offered it to the Museum of Mação where it can be seen.
In region industries, you will find that the artisan fabric factories and the famous wax candles of Cardigos are a secondary sector to the most significant food industries which includes CHOURIÇO (Famous Portuguese Sausages) and PRESUNTO (Ham). Please note that the Municipality of Mação produces about 70% of the national ham.
